Closing terror tap after Pahalgam

New Delhi's moves suggest it intends to move incrementally up the escalatory ladder

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New Delhi's initial response on Wednesday to the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam — the suspension of the six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), closing of the only operational land border crossing and downgrading of diplomatic relations — indicated that India was clear about Pakistan's involvement, and wanted to exert pressure on it across fronts, then Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments at a public meeting in Bihar on Thursday — "India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers; we will pursue them to the ends of the Earth" — delivered in English to ensure it was heard across the world, suggest that there will be more to the response. As there should be — the targeted killing of Hindu tourists needs a befitting retort.